The Airplane Experience

Traveling is not what it used to be but this trip to Italy was not too shabby. Perhaps because we experienced the new United business class configuration on their international 747’s. Each seat is its own little universe with seats that lay down into full beds long enough to fit six foot Ken. Each person has a private entertainment console with options for movies, audiobooks, games, audio, Berlitz language lessons in multiple languages, TV shows, children’s programs and stuff I forget. All the programming is “on demand” so you can do whatever you want whenever you want. The selection of movies is extensive as are the audio options—you can even program your own playlist with any combination of music and artists you chose.

All of this is nice to relish if you have miles with which to upgrade or can cash in for a full ticket. Paying for it would be an altogether different matter—unless one has money to burn.

We did have one real scare when it looked as if we were parted from all our electronics, including computer, GPS, IPOD speakers, jewelry and all of our data for our two months here. We were on the upper deck of the plane where there is a little cubby hole to store carry-ons. When Ken grabbed ours, it was the last little black case there. Then, as soon as we deplaned, I opened it to get our passes for the flight from Frankfurt to Florence. It was the wrong suitcase!

As would be expected, we panicked. Without going into all the commotion, the highlights are:

After what seemed like a lot of time (which we didn’t have as the connection time to our next flight was brief), UAL/Lufthansa staff found which connecting flight the owners of the bag we now had were headed to. Unbelievably, it was to Florence—the same flight as ours. Coincidentally, the people were from San Diego.

We rushed to the boarding area which had a long, long, long line of people waiting to go through security. We knew that the people with our bag had to have discovered the switch up due to our computer but had no idea if they had already gone through security, were someplace trying to find their bag, what?. We were clueless.

We spoke with a man who was supervising the security line. He let us cut to the front and go right through, but he didn’t have any knowledge of the situation.

We rushed to the gate just as the plane was boarding. Standing at the agents’ desk was a couple being issued passes and a security guard holding the tag from our case. This was the couple who sat in front of us on the plane from San Francisco and who had taken our bag. Ken identified who he was and the security guard took him to a room where our case was being held. The other people were very relieved to get theirs back and so all ended well, including making our connection on time. But for a short while, things did not look all that good.

We view this as a true answer to prayer. Casey, who is a bonafide worrier, was becoming a basket case so I stopped with him and we prayed for God’s help in finding the suitcase. A minute later it all came together. Casey took no time in proudly telling the woman that he had prayed and so that was why it all worked out. He is a true child of faith.

The plane ride from Frankfurt to Florence is a short one and so very quickly we were where we wanted to be—home with friends.

We're Off to Bella Italia--Again

Home is beckoning and we will be there soon--real soon.

We left this morning from San Diego to San Francisco to Frankfurt to Firenze. Ken and I are excited but it doesn't compare to Casey's anticipation. His friends are calling to him. He doesn't know that Camilla will be waiting at the airport--what a reunion that will be. Although, I expect that after all the anticipation, e-mails this year, snail mail and little packages, they will find themselves a little tongue-tied at first.

When we first arrived for our wonderful year, they did not have a common language and so they interacted by hitting the each other with balloons--ones that filled our apartment when we opened the door. It was a great welcome making us feel wanted and at home immediately. The balloon relationship continued for quite a while.

July 2006

Now I think all it will take is a dip in the pool and they will pick up right where they were last July. Two children with shared souls.

July 2007

So--we are in the air now..dining on wonderful plane food, lulling ourselves to sleep with muzak, pretending to sleep.

Hopefully all the flights will connect, our luggage will arrive along with us, anticipation will be over and we will be back on the vineyard in Greve-in Chianti--our home.

Imports/Exports Parker Style

The prevailing thought regarding treasures to bring home from bella Italia involves:

Wine-of course,

Olive oil-newly harvested/cold pressed,

Ceramics of all kinds—mostly expensive,

Pashmina-a cashmere stole,

Leather—jackets and purses,

Spices—for pasta and bruschetta,

Art books—where to stop? and

Pictures by the thousands.

But, eventually the draw of all these things fades or at least becomes resistible—except, maybe, for olive oil and ceramics.

When we returned after our wonderful year there, we not only brought home less than we filled suitcases with on previous shorter trips, but for the most part what we brought was slightly odd. Let’s see there was:

00 flour—the key to light, crisp fried vegetables

Forno paper—similar to our parchment paper but better and cheaper

Sheets—far nicer and comfy than Bed, Bath and Beyond

Shoes—wonderful sport shoes, not sexy Salvatore Ferragamos

Coffee candy—espresso filled

Tomato seeds—Sicilian and others

Band aids—they actually stay on through a shower

Odds and ends—that remind me of our home there as I use them at home here.

Memories—magical slideshows at unexpected moments.

Ceramics—a beautiful bowl that graces my kitchen

Plastic wine stoppers—everyone wants one, far better than the fancy ones.

Gifts—for friends and family

Pictures—by the thousands.

Oh—yes!. We did have one very big, major, expensive purchase--one that gives constant pleasure and not a moment’s regret.—an exquisite, painted for us, ceramic table from Florence. We had eyed these for years and so decided to take the plunge.

So, what’s on this year’s export list?

Powdered sugar in a shaker—Casey’s request for pancakes

Forno paper—I love it

00 flour—yummy veggies

Wine stoppers—from the Saturday market

Shoes—maybe another pair of sport shoes

Pictures—by the hundreds (it’s only 2 months this time)

Memories—to last until next time

Oh—yes! Another big, major, expensive purchase—a round table to match last year’s acquisition. It will make our back yard complete. The butterflies, bees, dragonflies and lady bugs that grace it are from fairy tales.

And then---what are we importing?

Pancake flour for Casey’s friend Tommaso

Ziplock baggies for my friend Nicoletta

Surprises for Sara

Oven gloves for Casey’s friends at La Cantinetta di Ragnana—with scenes of San Diego

Treats and party favors for Casey and Camilla’s big birthday party

English books for Casey’s Italian friends

Gifts for others of Casey’s friends

Chocolate chips, liquid vanilla and brown sugar for much sought after cookies

More…….

Actually there is one suitcase with nothing but gifts and “stuff.” Do you suppose we will fill it on our return? Give me your odds.

Bet You Didn't Know!

Quick: Be the first to know this before it hits tomorrow's airwaves....

Last night we had a baby sitter for Casey (which, by the way, involves a lot more than the 30¢ per hour that I used to make.) When we came home, she began telling us how really, really smart Casey is. Of course, we already know this but were curious as to how she found out as they watched Ratatouille--not exactly a documentary.

Baby-sitter: He knows so many interesting scientific facts.

Me: Yes, but he tends to make up quite a few, too. How did he enlighten you?

Baby-sitter: I never knew that you can cough up your spleen.

Bet you didn't know this either.

One Week—Four Days

1985 was our first trip to Europe. Before that, such far-flung travel had a mysterious allure seeming to belong only to other people—certainly not to us. We were campers.

Then came an “a-ha” moment when our world turned and changed forever. Suddenly we were planning a trip to Germany and Austria and taking my mother-in-law with us. So much of the magic of that trip revolved around giving this wonderful woman something beyond any dream she had thought to have—a memory I treasure.

Twenty-three years later I still remember every detail of those three weeks as we fast tripped from Berlin, seeing the incredible sight of the Wall and crossing Check Point Charlie into East Berlin, to a production of The Student Prince in Heidelberg, to Bavaria and Neuschwanstein, to Garmisch, to Innsbruck, to the salt mines of Salzburg, Vienna, Gratz and so much more. Today I am amazed by how much we saw and did in such a short time. I remember following the night-crier in Dinkelsberg as he stopped at each inn for his draught. I remember…. And so began our travel addiction.

In eleven short days we will be flying to Italy once again—the country we have visited over and over. Not that we haven’t been to other places—China, Tanzania, Peru, Ecuador, Turkey and many countries throughout Europe—but Italy entered our souls from our first encounter. It is vibrant; it flows with color; its kitchens apologize to no one; its people are warm and welcoming and...then…there is the art and the duomos and the piazzas and the wine and the sunflowers and the history and, and, and…..

Packing this time is difficult when it should be easy. Last time we went for a year and had mountains of luggage as we moved our life to another country. So now we just have 9 weeks to worry about and I can’t get started. It is simply too simple.

At this point, I have a duffle filled with gifts for special people and birthday party stuff—Casey and Camilla are having a joint party with their school friends. We know we’re bringing roller blades and accompanying paraphernalia. There are the books and electronics—computer, cameras, DVD player, GPS, phones, IPOD and speakers—requiring their own carry-on.

But clothes--I have Casey's laid out and am certain that there is way too much. He will live in his bathing suit and will wear the same shorts for days on end--guess I need to put 90% of that pile back. We must not leave Nike, his stuffed dog, behind. Nike is Casey's Velveteen Rabbit--all the fur loved off long ago, a best friend, a necessity for sleep.

Find Nike?

So--eleven days left--now ten--one of the tomorrow's will be time enough to pack. And...unquestionably, we will bring too much.